The Merry Month of May ‘Gardening For Wildlife’ Great Blue Heron Rookery

A few weeks ago, I had the great opportunity of visiting an Audubon Sanctuary in Northampton, Massachusetts especially to see a Great Blue Heron rookery. It is important to visit the site before the canopy of leaves unfurl, as they block the view of the bulky twig Heron nests. My guide and friend led the way down a path above magical vernal pools, where the growth of trees, vines and shrubs create a tunnel effect.

I was a bit dismayed to see many invasive non-native shrubs and plants consuming the landscape. Hopefully there will be funds for restoring the native species or perhaps concerned citizens will organize a fundraiser. I should mention that this sanctuary is but a few steps away from many folks backyard.

Reflections of sky and trees within the vernal pools offer an enchanting prelude to the Great Blue Heron rookery.

As did my first sighting ever of a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers were flitting throughout young trees above the cerulean blue water. I rarely get a glimpse of a female – above – in my garden, but males – below – are always happy to let me capture their alluring, dark masked portrait. Here is a link where you can see more of their personality and better portraits of the former Myrtle Warbler and another where you can learn more about the bird here.

Bees were out . . . busy with their pollinating and buzzing about.

After a few minutes walk, we found ourselves at the end of the becoming verdant tunnel.

Suddenly we were under a full bright sky with part of the Mount Holyoke range towering to our right. We started walking on the edge of what locals fondly call ‘The Meadows’ and soon make our way down a path that reveals a splendid view of the Great Blue Heron’s rookery.

I had never seen anything like this before. My experiences with Great Blue Herons has mostly been seeing one or two flying over Flower Hill Farm or sighting just one at a time, by the ocean or nearby lakes. Seeing all of the Herons at the same time and their amazing stick nests all grouped together is incredible. There are about fifty nests scattered about. The sounds of Red-winged Blackbirds, White-breasted Nuthatches, various Woodpeckers and Warblers, along with intermittent croaks from the handsome Herons themselves, filled the air all around where we were attentively observing this really big show.

What a teeming community . . . Great Blue Herons sitting, standing and flying about.

The Great Blue Heron [Ardea herodias] is the largest Heron in North America,with a stately stature reaching about four feet while its grand wingspan spreads out to six feet.

These gangling yet graceful Great Blue Herons are lucky to breed in a protected habitat. Perhaps during ‘Gardening for Wildlife’ month we might think about supporting organizations that protect wildlife, by preserving and restoring wild places outside of our gardens the world over.

We can also stay alerted to actions, by those who put profits over wildlife and care little about destroying precious habitat. Becoming activists for wildlife can bring about a balance, to counter the powerful voices of lobbyist that have so much of our leaders attention. We may not be as powerful, but we can make a difference. Margaret Mead’s words always inspire. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

This photograph may conjure up thoughts of long ago prehistoric birds of prey . . . happily it is not, but our governments tend to look backwards or just stay in the current muck too much, instead of supporting innovative, renewable, clean and safe energy. Let’s inspire them to go green and protect all of Mother Nature’s creatures at the same time.

This Great Blue Heron is also not a shapeshifter, though in this photo he may look a bit like one. Gardeners everywhere are changing the way we garden, however, and many will never go back to the old way of using poisons and chemicals that harm wildlife. Far too many toxic chemicals are still being approved and used unfortunately . . .  hopefully this will change if more call out in protest.

It is exciting and hopeful, driving by what were once lines of houses with poisonous lawns in front . . . to now seeing gardeners creating simple sustainable habitats, through plantings of native plants and shrubs. Many front lawns are disappearing and neighborhoods are providing important corridors and breeding habitat for countless wild creatures.

I am very thankful and applaud these thoughtful homeowners, gardeners and to great advocacy groups for helping maintain our wildlife populations and their imperative wild places. Here are some of my favorite groups: The National Audubon Society,  The Wilderness Society, World Wildlife Fund, National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, SIERRA CLUB and NRDC. This last link of the Natural Resources Defense Council will list many more groups as well. (My list is not in order of importance for me.) Perhaps you could add your favorites in a comment. Wildlife and humans benefit from their Herculean efforts in protecting our world. They all need and deserve our support. What would we be without wild open places and our connections to nature’s creatures? It inspires us to recreate our own paradises within our private gardens. Without studious stewardship from the greater outer world we would not have the welcome return of beloved birds to our gardens each year. Truly all wildlife has the right to exist for itself alone.

“In the merry month of May

When green leaves begin to spring,

Little lambs do skip like fairies

Birds do couple, build and sing.”

Author unknown

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